Related Experiment Videos
Ovaries, androgens and the menopause: practical applications
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA.
Seminars in Reproductive Endocrinology
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Postmenopausal ovaries produce significant testosterone, a key androgen. Surgical removal of ovaries (oophorectomy) can decrease testosterone levels by nearly 50%.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- The ovaries are a significant source of androgens, including testosterone, even after menopause.
- Postmenopausal ovarian androgen production is influenced by gonadotropins and can be modulated by external hormones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the functional significance of postmenopausal ovaries in androgen production.
- To inform the discussion regarding elective oophorectomy in gynecologic surgery.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data on postmenopausal ovarian function.
- Analysis of the impact of oophorectomy on circulating testosterone levels.
Main Results:
- Bilateral oophorectomy can reduce circulating testosterone by approximately 50%.
- Postmenopausal ovarian androgenesis is regulated by gonadotropins and responsive to exogenous hormones.
Conclusions:
- Postmenopausal ovaries play a crucial role in maintaining androgen levels.
- The data necessitate a re-evaluation of the role of postmenopausal ovaries in the context of elective oophorectomy.